Humanity

My heart hurts for humanity.

 

Once again, our realities of hatred and intolerance come to the surface in our nation.  Another political leader we hoped would make a difference, can no longer influence anyone after pictures of his racist past come to light.  Our trust and his credibility broken … and rightfully so.

Who are we?  Who can we trust? What are we teaching our children?

These are questions I often ask out loud, but feel that no one can answer honestly without taking sides or throwing daggers.  This isn’t a left vs right issue.  This isn’t about liberal or conservative views.

This is about our beliefs as a human race. Our perception of right and wrong.  Perceptions get in the way of making decisions that lift us up as a society or dehumanize one another.  Free will empowers us to give back to the community or to hurt one another and justify our actions based on our beliefs… I have struggled with understanding free will my whole life.

Personally, I believe that no matter who does it… discrimination against an individual or group of people is unacceptable.  I believe that people can change and become better people… but own those wrongs and work to make them right -don’t hide them.  Yet,  blatant choices of hate is hard to forgive and forget.

Some hate mongers outwardly intimidate, discriminate, and attack others who are different than them. Then there are those who hide their intolerance and lack of empathy toward others behind public service.  How do we know who to trust?

More importantly, who do our kids look to as mentors, leaders, and symbols of what an ethical, global citizen should be?

How can we think globally when in our own country, hate still lives in the hearts of men and women?  Children are not born with hate in their hearts… it is taught.

And it’s time the adults realize that our actions – past and present – demonstrate our values and beliefs about humanity. They also have consequences for our nation and its children.

I am trying to keep faith that there is hope for our future.  I have to believe that love does overcome hate and there is more good in the world than bad… but today, we all need to reflect on our humanity and remember that while we can’t control the weather,  if we get sick, or we lose someone we love,,, we CAN control how we treat others.

Actions speak louder than words.  Choose kind.